Students, community run at SU to offset cancer treatment costs

Annual Kupcakes for Kris event draws more than 70 local runners

Participants in the Kupcakes for Kris 5K at launch off the starting line Sunday at Shippensburg University. (Kerri Fleegle — Public Opinion)

Amber Millison pauses a moment with Bery, her 5-month-old English Shepherd, who ran in the Kupcakes for Kris 5K event Sunday at Shippensburg University. (Kerri Fleegle — Public Opinion)

SHIPPENSBURG >> More than $1,800 was raised Sunday at the 3rd Annual Kupkakes for Kris 5K Run and Walk.

More than 70 runners, many wearing bright pink, with others decked in tutus and even some four-legged friends, ran across the grounds of Shippensburg University to raise money for families paying for cancer treatments and related personal expenses.

The nonprofit organization was created in memory of Kris Green, a member of Public Relations Society of America Central Pa. Chapter, who passed away in 2010 from lung cancer.

Stephanie Pryor, head of the promotions subcommittee for Shippensburg Public Relations Student Society of American, said the event was the biggest they have ever had, with 70 pre-registered runners compared to last year's tally of 30.

"No matter what we raise today, the turnout is much better," she said. "We more support from the community this year."

Pryor said the outpouring of support from the community has also been extremely helpful, and they had registrants from all over Pennsylvania enter the race.

Katherine Cromwell, 20, and Marilyn Miller, 18, both from Stewartstown, decided to run in style with their homemade pink and blue tutus.

"It adds something to it," Cromwell said, adding she saw the idea on the website Pinterest. "It's a great cause to run for."

Michael Hess, Shippensburg, started running earlier this year as a way to get healthier. A goal of his is to run a half-marathon by September.

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"I try to support the local races," Hess said. "And it's for a great cause as well as staying healthy."

Amber Millison, a junior from Havertown, brought her 5-month-old English Shepherd Bery to run with them and he was decked out in his own pink t-shirt.

Members of the football team cheered on the runners throughout the course, which went past Fogelsonger Road and up and around campus and through parts of town.

Mark Maciejewski, coach of the Shippensburg University football team, said that 23 of his players were out along the trail on Sunday.

"I'm big on helping and I believe in giving back," Maciejewski said. "I think that the players will continue to give back throughout their lives."

All of the proceeds for the event will go directly to the central organization.